Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at Rayleigh Parish Centre, Rectory Garth, Rayleigh (SS6 8BB) every Friday — 4:00–5:00pm for 4–7s and 5:05–6:05pm for 7–12s. Every child can attend a free trial session with no obligation to sign up.
Rayleigh Parish Centre · SS6 8BBIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform launched at Rayleigh Parish Centre in April 2026, bringing its mix of drama, dance and singing to Rectory Garth every Friday afternoon. The 4–7s class runs 4:00–5:00pm; the 7–12s class follows straight after at 5:05–6:05pm. Both sessions are led by Eleanor and Emily, with Area Partner Sophie visiting regularly to offer support and quality oversight.
Each session covers three distinct sections rather than staying with one discipline for the full hour. Younger children move through dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring exercises, then shift to specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps, and finally into character explorations and storytelling improvisation. Older children work on acting and improvisation — building vocal projection, physicality and presence — alongside movement and dance and speech and singing, where smaller group sizes mean most children get a solo or featured moment. Class sizes are capped at 22, with two Perform staff in the room throughout. Every activity is built around the four Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — the core of Perform's curriculum design.
This summer term the 4–7s are sailing aboard the Jammy Dodger for the Mermaids & Pirates theme, while the 7–12s take on The Dream — a retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream through footballers, pop stars and celebrities. The current term runs from 17 April to 17 July 2026, with no session on Friday 29 May. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point rather than waiting for a new block to start. Each week, families receive a weekly email from the Producer explaining that session's focus; Perform also sends a personalised written feedback form detailing progress, signed by Principal Lucy Quick.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a class before we commit?
Yes. Every child can attend a free trial session at Rayleigh Parish Centre, with no obligation to sign up afterwards. You can book through the Perform website, through the class Producer, or by phone.
Which age group should my child join?
The two classes cater for different age ranges: 4–7s at 4:00pm and 7–12s at 5:05pm, both on Fridays. In the 4–7s group, a mixed age range is part of the design — younger children are stretched and stimulated by the group while older children develop confidence by influencing activities. For 7–12s, Perform say that character and previous experience matter more than exact age.
How are blocks booked and what happens if we miss a session?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions; there is also an option to renew to the end of term, or to pay monthly by Direct Debit. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block, but a make-up system allows attendance at another Perform venue subject to availability. Cancellations made with at least three days' notice generate a credit that can be applied to future Perform products.
What does a typical session look like?
For 4–7s, the class moves through three sections: movement and coordination games, singing and vocal work, then creative drama and storytelling. The 7–12s session covers acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing — with a different focus each week. Class sizes are limited to 22 children and there are always two Perform staff in the room.
Is there anything to help with the cost?
Perform offers a bursary scheme and accepts childcare vouchers — contact the office for details on both. New customers who join the Perform mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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Approximate location (postcode area)